Chapter Eighty-Five

Recovery

I woke up the next morning with Alistair in my bed… and Duncan snuggled in between us. I smiled and moved my finger along my sons' face lightly. Alistair was also already awake – just watching the sappy smile on my face.

He whispered, "I can hardly believe we actually have a son… a child…"

I chuckled and spoke in a normal voice, "If you had been the one to go through labor, I'm sure you really would believe it."

He was watching Duncan – likely confused how the little one didn't even stir at my voice – and said, "Yeah – it did look very painful. Broken hands notwithstanding, I can't imagine how painful that was for you."

"I'm sorry about that – I didn't mean to…"

"No – no; I get it. That was part of the plan too. Rain and Kell both said it was going to be really painful and that you would need something to squeeze and likely break – and that it was tradition for that to be your husbands' hands…"

"I never broke Kells' hands! Actually, I couldn't squeeze that hard back then – but also, I was hopped-up on really good pain meds. I love you Alistair."

"I love you too. So, what all did you see in that vision yesterday?"

"Oh, he'll be quite handsome. White-blonde hair, silver eyes, tanned skin and your features. We're likely going to have to bat people away with a stick eventually. I really just saw you sitting in a rocking chair and cooing at him as Duncan tried to get a hold of your hair to munch on."

"White-Blonde? Where does he get that coloring from?"

"The mother of this body is a Moon Fairy; White and Blue hair. That's where Duncan gets his hair color. Maric was also blonde, you know. Goddess… I love you."

"I love you as well. I can't wait to be cooing at him in a rocking chair. How are you feeling?"

"Exhausted."

"I have a question – how are you fire-born if your mom is a Moon Fairy and your father is human." Cullens' voice sounded from the doorway.

"We aren't allowed to be called Moon-Born unless we're moon Fae – so we go with the fathers' element or the grand-parent of the same gender. My grand-mother on my mothers' side is Fire-Born; ironically, so is my granddad on my dads' side – thus, Ash and I are both Fire-Born."

"Complicated, but similar to what the Dwarves do to determine Caste – I mean used to do." He replied.

I yawned and nodded, "Come here – he's your son too, you know."

Cullen smiled softly and came closer to look at the little boy bundled between me and Alistair. Cullens' voice was soft and thick with emotion, "He's so… small…"

Alistair chuckled, "You know – I said the same thing when I saw our goddaughter the first time. Vaala is a dwarf – can you imagine how itty-bitty she was?"

Kell came into the room carrying a tray filled with sandwiches and chicken tenders – he had a devilish smirk when I flushed, "I see you recalled my post-pregnancy meal…"

Hot wings and chicken tenders ordered from the hospital café every half hour – goddess I was so hungry. He winked, "I wasn't going to risk making hot wings, but there are plenty of chicken tenders and Galaxia made ranch dressing for you to dip them in."

I sat up – apparently Kell was the cue; Sebastian and Fenris also entered the room. Sebastian gave me a bright smile, "He is adorable."

"He looks like a potato for the moment – but he will be a very handsome boy. I'm sure we'll have to beat people off with sticks. I still need to ask Magma if the human born children find mates even if they aren't with Fae or not…"

"The answer to that is no – I already asked. Duncan will find love on his own, I hope. I don't want to put him into an arranged marriage; Makers' Teeth – the amount of requests I've had since his gender and race were announced…" Alistair sighed.

I shook my head, "I'm glad you're sticking to your guns on that – I don't want him forced into a loveless marriage either."

Fenris coughed, "The child is… tiny; I worry about when I hold him… what if…?"

"You'll be fine, Fenris – we'll show you how to hold him. But maybe we'll wait until he wakes up." I took the tray from Kell.

Sebastian smiled, "To be honest, it's been… a long time since I ever thought I would have a family of my own. I had been considering settling down when I was given to the chantry 10 years ago."

A vision hit me and I giggled. Alistair gave me an amused look, "What did you have a vision of this time?"

"Something cute and just… it makes me happy. When I have Kells' child, I will also bare Sebastians' daughter."

Kell chuckled, "And by then…?"

"I'll have already had Cullens' and Fenris' kids. I just saw them all playing together in a fortress in the Frostback Mountains while I'm holding court there and judging an Avvar Chieftain – giving him exactly what he wants after he throws goats at my hold."

"You killed one of his clan then?" Kell asked. I nodded, "His son – styling himself the 'Hand of Korth' and wanting to fight me because I'll be the 'Herald of Andraste' by then and he wants to see who is better. Man kidnaps my people and…"

Thankfully – by this point – my mates were all fully filled in on my future title after the slip yesterday. I didn't want to keep secrets from men in my bed. But I had sworn them to secrecy about it.

Kell nodded, "And what was this son supposed to be doing?"

"Killing enemies of the tribe. Dumbass decided to change the mission and confront the Inquisition instead. Enemies meaning Tevinter in the area. Movran freely admits that he has no intention of actually pursuing any conflict with me and offers himself to the Inquisition for judgment – I 'banish' him with as many weapons as he and his men can carry… to Tevinter."

Alistair sniggered, "Perfect."

Kell chuckled, "So his foolish son does gain him something after all."

"His words – almost exactly." I smiled in amusement. "Our son likes the horns on his hood."

Kell shook his head, "By the Mountain-Father; now I'll have to make a horned hood. I've managed to avoid that this whole time. Very well."

"Mmmh – and you know the rule, Kell; the boys get to name the sons; I just get to name the girls."

"Ah yes – and the potty training also falls to the respective gender, as I recall." Kell said drily.

I grinned, "Glad you remember."

"I've done it once; I can do it again…" he sighed.

"I think I recall that Ara said you didn't want more kids." Alistair hummed.

Kell flinched, "There… I am no longer as I was, Alistair. I am not that man anymore; and I wanted more – I was simply unable to handle more babies. This life has prepared me better for it." Sebastian smiled, "And Fae among the offspring?"

"Cullens' daughter – I knew she would have magic of a sort, but while it was in flux… however, she won't take the Danu throne – she'll abdicate in the future to be a warrior. Like I told Cullen; that's his daughters' greatest wish; to be like her daddy."

Cullen nodded, "I recall you mentioning it. I was terrified of that for a while… but, Maker, you were right – I couldn't abandon my daughter; not for anything."

I smiled – I was on a high right now.

Hawke came in at that moment and smiled, "Mom is demanding to see 'the only grandbaby she's likely to get' as soon as she can."

"Only? Yeah, right – only. That's funny… oh, you're serious? No – your siblings will certainly have at least one each."

"Wait – who does Carver end up with?"

"… Carver will end up with a blood mage… remember I mentioned it in the deep roads?" I muttered with an amused little smirk.

"Merrill?" Hawke gaped. I nodded.

"I thought that… I thought they would dance around each other forever…" Hawke muttered.

I chuckled, "If you didn't end up with Bela and Carver didn't end up with Merrill, then the two women would get together."

Hawke groaned, "Don't put those ideas in my head, Ara! I already think about you and Bel – I don't need to think about Bel with Merrill too."

Kell shot him a dark look, "Get her out of your head."

"Come on, Kell – I already had permission to bed him and still didn't sleep with him; let the man fantasize." I laughed.

Kell hummed, "Poor man – very well, Lowlander; but do not speak of it around me."

"Man; I thought you would be okay with it. The things she's said…" Hawke laughed.

"Normally, yes – you're handsome and have a very nice voice; but I worry that she might decide to keep you after what I walked in on with you and the pirate." Kell hummed.

Now that caught my attention, "Oh?"

Alistair laughed, "You may have just made her want to use that free pass, Kell. Tell us, I guess."

Cullen and Sebastian looked none too pleased but Fenris said, "If it is interesting enough, I may join – I believe one of those times was to be with me."

Hawke laughed, "I use magic during sex."

Alistair shrugged, "Nothing special then."

Kell looked confused, "Nothing special?"

"Ara does too when she isn't pregnant. She told me that her temperature manipulation would be a bad idea while carrying a child; she didn't want to hurt Duncan." Alistair explained.

Hawke nodded, "The electrical play would certainly be a bad idea too."

Kell smirked, "I am interested – when you recover, of course."

Sebastian coughed, "A-as am… I…"

"Well – when Rain gives me a full bill of health, we can do that. Goddess… I'm exhausted."

That was when Duncan began fussing and squirming. I picked him up and cooed, "Hi, baby… aww." His eye opened and I was just in awe at how pretty they were.

Alistair ran his finger over Duncans' cheek; Kell went to prepare a bottle. The baby in my arms kept glancing around – trying to take in everything. When Alistair said, "He's so cute…" Duncan looked at him and gave a small gurgling coo.

I laughed, "He recognizes your voice, at least."

Alistair pulled the child from my arms and decided to be the one to feed him today. Once Duncan was fed and burped, I saw Kell hold his arms out.

Alistair smiled brightly and handed the baby to my Avvar mate. Kell smiled when Duncan curled his hand around Kells' finger, "I think I missed this. Though I was a whole foot shorter back when we had Levi."

I laughed, "That you were – and I thought I was short before. How tall is Bull, Fenris?"

"7'4," Fenris smirked at me.

"Wonder if he'll let me sit on his shoulders sometime…" I chuckled at the image of me holding onto his horns.

Kell chuckled, "You plan to help his transgender friend? I can't remember the name, but I remember you fawning over the kid."

"I will have you know that given half a chance, I would totally go for Krem; but he belongs to Maryden and won't likely be interested in me… but man… he's so sweet. He sews these stuffed nugs with wings, and I cannot wait to get my hands on one. Oh, but yes; if Krem wants the surgery then I'll do that for him. But not everyone wants that. So it's up to Krem."

Kell chuckled, "I do not think I would mind you being with Krem."

"I take it Krem was born a woman?" Fenris asked.

"A woman in Tevinter that joined the army." I supplied.

Fenris flinched, "Bribed the medic?"

"Uh-huh."

Fenris groaned, "Poor man. How'd he get away?"

"Bull saved him – lost his eye in the process. Krem goes on to be Bull's lieutenant. Anyway… Fenris, are you ready to hold him?"

Kell smirked at the elf that was now hesitant and helped him learn to hold an infant for the first time. Fenris gave that small smile I loved when Duncan yawned and took hold of his finger – pulling it close while his eyes fluttered closed again. Cullens' ruby sending stone – which he'd turned into an amulet – chimed. He answered, "Mia?"

"We're arriving at the docks – and by we, I mean Rose, Branson and I."

"I'll come collect you. It's a maze of a city the first time; hey, Kell, want to come and collect my family with me?"

Kell stood, "I could stretch my legs – lowlanders make everything so small."

I stuck my tongue out, "Excuse us for not being beanpoles! And grow your beard back – I miss it."

He smirked at me, "For you, babe – anything."

I laughed as Mia said, "Who is that?"

"Kell – he's Aras' Avvarian mate. She has 5 husbands at the moment; we're waiting for her to meet the Qunari, but it hasn't happened yet." Cullen was smirking.

"… I'm going to need an explanation when you get to the docks, Cullen."

I called out, "Magma!"

Duncan didn't even stir. Magma appeared, "Ara?"

"Cullens' two sisters and brother are here, are their rooms ready?"

"Yes; all downstairs near Cullens' office." Magma saluted. I yawned, "Cool – can you please get me some apple juice?"

"Of course, my queen." He was off. Kell and Cullen headed out while Fenris moved to give Duncan to Sebastian.

Sebastian was still holding Duncan when the others returned with Cullens' family. Kell came into the room first and sat next to me on my overly large bed – on the opposite side as Alistair – and said, "You know what I miss from Earth?"

"Guns? You were always obsessing over those… and Flashlights." I laughed.

"I was going to say Computers – you know I liked to de-stress with those games I would play."

I shrugged, "Pity – no internet connection here."

Mia came up and looked at the baby in Cullens' arms – Seb had passed him over.

Rose cooed, "Aww… he's so cute."

Branson smirked, "Never really expected you to be the first one married with a kid."

I snorted, "My guess was Branson with a son within 7 years."

Branson chuckled, "Well… I am courting a woman."

Cullen smirked – knowing that when I said 'my guess', it meant I'd had foreknowledge of the event.

I curled into Kell and said, "Love you."

He chuckled, "My kitten," and began petting my hair. Considering that was exactly the thing I had been after… he knew me so well.

Alistair laughed, "Aedan always did say that you were part cat – or dog."

"I like having my feathers and hair stroked – is that so wrong?" I pouted.

Kell shook his head, "I recall you pouting that I would pet the tiny dog more that I would pet you."

"The 'tiny dog' could fit comfortably in in one hand, Kell – a chihuahua, of all things."

"And you wanted the dogs that could talk." He teased.

"Husky! I wanted my furry counterparts! I liked that they talked back and were very stubborn." I laughed.

Duncan woke again and looked around at all the new people from Cullens' arms and began babbling. There was a knock on the door – the two Moon Fae came in.

Astra – the one with the pink and white hair – smiled softly, "My daughter."

I stiffened – I had known that the mother of my body was a Moon Fae… I hadn't known which. Nebula was the Fire Guardian; Asta was the Earth Guardian.

Nebula shook her head, "Not the best way to go about that, Astra."

"I know – but it has been a long time since I've seen my daughter, and when I finally do, she does not recall me and has a son!"

I flushed, "I… I'm sorry…"

"Don't be – you could not control how you came to us nor when you learned who your mother was. Now then – you will be a Moon Fae in your next life?"

"I will – and my husband Sebastian will be too… as will at least one from my current friend circle. I know I'll be friends with the other two, but I just didn't see them in the vision like I did Water, me and Bas."

"Interesting – you are dancing around naming the future Water Guardian?" Nebula asked.

I inclined my head, "Anyone that actually thought about it would know in less than two seconds; it's so obvious. But if I say it, she'll deny and rebel and blah, blah – useless banter."

"Very well; I admit… it's very rare that we know who the future Guardians will be."

"Well, it will be in a couple hundred years, so there's really no point in knowing now." I sighed.

"Yet you do know. We know at least 3 – and so early into our own tenure."

"Hey – can you track the queens?" I asked. My mother smirked, "Of course we can – we also keep track of her while she is without guards so that we know if we have to step in. Like in the Deep Roads?"

"You uh… did something?" I asked with red cheeks.

"Oh yes – and that dwarf had better thank his lucky stars that we did. You froze when he shot at you. It would have hit you if Cluster – the Air Guardian – hadn't nudged you with her abilities. That dwarf almost killed you." Nebula frowned.

Fenris growled, "I knew I should have killed him."

"On the contrary – the little man is too important to the future for you to kill. And he does regret his actions…" Astra sighed – looks like she wanted to kill him too.

Hawke hummed, "Well… I'm thinking Fenris hitting him and then getting the cold shoulder for the rest of the trip home – after being betrayed by his brother – was punishment enough. Ara would have done worse if she thought it wasn't."

I flushed, "If he had done that to any of you… yeah. I'd torture him with knowledge of the woman he loves but can never be with."

Alistair flinched, "Suddenly, I feel sorry for him…"

"Yeah – it's tragic. Every time he sees her, her family sends assassins after him. She's from a surface dwarf family that keeps to the Caste system – so her marriage was arranged. I have Bhelen ready to dissolve the marriage if you recall."

"Wait – no; Varric is the woman that B… er… the girl is in love with?" he almost slipped.

I nodded, "Tragic really. So, you see – I could put Varric firmly in his place with a few words. My support as Paragon is what will enable that if they really want. He really should know better."

Duncan was placed in Astras' arms. He cooed and giggled. But when another knock came and the knight-commander entered, he started crying. Smart boy.

I could tell all of my people were holding back smiles at the instant dislike of the templar – even Cullen was finding it amusing.

Meredith looked surprised, but because of how instant the crying was, I don't think she associated it with her presence.

She cleared her throat, "Knight-Captain – you have been granted 2 weeks of paternity leave… by order of the Divine."

"O-Oh – thank you for telling me, Knight-Commander."

"Hmm. I brought a gift." She passed a small box to Hawke before walking out again. My lip twitched once she was gone, "I had no idea that she had a soft spot for kids."

"How do you figure?" Alistair asked.

"She lied – the divine didn't order it at all. And she brought a gift too? She doesn't want anyone to know that she has a soft spot – so she came up with a reason she couldn't rescind the leave that she wanted to give him before making it seem that she only brought a gift because it would be rude not to if she came here." I smiled.

Hawke popped open the gift and whistled, "She got him a high-quality rattle – made of Volcanic Arum and…" he shook it, "Yup – filled with balls of dragon bone. She had to spend no less than 30 Sovereigns on this. That is one expensive rattle."

Cullen chuckled, "She thinks I don't know – but the kids in the chantry that are priest or templar initiates usually end up better clothed and fed than the adults."

"I just want to know how Hawke can distinguish dragon bone by the rattle…" I asked.

"What can I say? Dad was always gifting mom the good stuff. He'd work very hard and very cautiously using his magic and charging fair prices. He'd set aside enough to care for us, then save up to get mom nice things."

I chuckled, "Awesome. Hey… Cullen…"

He stood, "The eggs?"

"I love you forever?" I grinned. He laughed, "You would anyway. Very well – I'll be back."

Mia watched his retreating back. When he was gone, she asked, "You have him cooking?"

"Oh yeah – all of my mates cook. Sexiest thing ever." I grinned.

Fenris smirked, "I have not seen the Prince of Starkhaven cook."

Sebastian laughed, "You haven't visited me when I go cook for the homeless at the Chantry. I had the last 10 years to learn."

Alistair nodded, "Ara is always saying that she was taught that the way to a mans heart is through his stomach – I think it's more the way to her heart."

"Actually – it's the way to anyones' heart if you angle the knife just right," I quipped.

Fenris laughed and Kell said, "That it is. I cannot wait until we welcome our own son, Kitten."

I smiled, "Me too – I want all of those kiddos. Though… it's troubling that I saw Vaala there."

Alistair stilled, "You think something will happen to Althild?"

"That's the only way Vaala would be on the surface – but I don't know when or how."

Alistair pursed his lips, "I'll have someone go over to keep an eye on things… better to be safe, right?"

"Yeah – I'm worried about it."

Leandra poked her head in, "Can I come in?"

Astra smiled and said, "It's only fair another grandmother gets a chance to hold him, yes? Here…"

"You must be Aras' mother then?" Leandra caught on quick. Astra nodded, "I am."

I curled into Alistair now and yawned, "I'm just gonna… nap."

Kell hummed, "You used to not be able to sleep with light or sound present."

"The Blight changed that – as long as it isn't too bright or too loud, I can sleep fine. Wake me if we have visitors."

Over the next two weeks, I was visited by every notable name in Kirkwall… as well as all 5 dukes/duchesses of Danu, and emissaries of Tevinter, Antiva and a few other places.

Alistair was taking Duncan back to Ferelden today. I was sad – very sad and cried – but couldn't keep Duncan here when we were just a few months from the start of the Qunari Uprising so I couldn't… keep him here.

It wouldn't be safe.

I was holding little Duncan and sobbing, "I don't want him to go!"

"Honey – my beloved – I will bring him by every week; every time I come over, he'll be with me. I come for dinner 4 times a week anyway. He'll be here – don't worry." Alistair soothed.

"I know – but… but… he's my baby – the last time I let my baby out of my sight…" I whimpered.

Kell coughed, "That won't happen, Kitten. He'll be safe in the Palace; and you'll see him at least four times a week. I know you were a stay-at-home mother with Levi, but you said it is too dangerous here to do that with Duncan…"

"I know… Goddess… and to think in a year and a half, I'll be pregnant again…" I sighed.

Cullen went red – recalling that his and Fenris' kids came next – and said, "S-so soon?"

"Yes – after the next major event that Kirkwall will weather. Apparently, you and Fenris like to celebrate the fact that I'll live after taking a huge fuck-off sword to the gut."

"You'll what?" Alistair asked.

"Did I forget to mention that? Oops. Yeah – it was me or Hawke and the challenger respects me more than Hawke so the challenge will be made to me."

"Can't you decline the challenge?" Sebastian pleaded.

"… Do you want Isabela to be taken? Fuck no I can't decline the challenge. I love that girl too much to let her get taken just to have her turn around and escape. One way or another, the challenger will die – but if we let him take Bela… no; not happening." I argued.

Hawke was pale, "… I know some healing spells; and Rain is here… you'll be fine."

I smirked, "Exactly so! I'll be fine enough after to get pregnant so… point made. My baby…" I cooed and made Duncan giggle as I buried my face in his gut and blew raspberries.